Joyce Cook

Bioterrorism Coordinator, Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service

2.5 years of service (13 years for the county)

Ms. Joyce Cook was recommended by the County Board of Supervisors for the Bioterrorism Coordinator position based on her organizational skills, biology and teaching background, and her overall work ethic, not on her experience in Emergency Preparedness. Upon accepting the challenge, Ms. Cook's first week was spent working with the team to cancel "flu clinics" and helping to prioritize clients, because the vaccine was not available. Since her introduction to the position, Ms. Cook continues to educate herself, meshing BT projects and everyday Public Health work. She strives to learn and to understand the work around her, and how preparedness fits into it all. When an issue arises, Ms. Cook will not only present the issue, but also a well thought out idea to solve it.